Turbine support



Aug. 2s, 1.928. 1,682,317

R. C. ALLEN TURBINE SUPPORT Filed Nov. 4, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 5x4 LEN INVENTOR WITNESSES: I

Aug. 2a, 1928. 1,682,317

R. C. ALLEN TURBINE SUPPORT Filed Nov. 4, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 3 II f/ 29 I I l I x I I R.C.AI.LEN

INVENTOR ATTORNEY Patented Aug. 28, 1928.

UNITED srATEs PATENT OFFICE.

ROBERT C. ALLEN, 0F SWABTHMORE, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO WESTINGHOUSE ELECTRIC & MANUFACTURING COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

TURBINE SUPPORT.

Application filed November 4, 1825. Serial No. 66,833.

My invention relates to elastic fluid turbines, and it has for an object to provlde means for supporting a turbine which shall tion, in which Fig. 1 is a plan view of a turbine foundation having my improved supporting means thereon; Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the low pressure end of an elastic fluid turbine mounted on the foundation shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is an end elevation of the high pressure end of the turbine illustrated in Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is-a plan view of a foundation adapted for a double flow turbine and having my improved 'supporting means applied thereto; Fig. 5 is a; side elevation, partly in section, of a double flow turbine mounted on the foundation shown in Fig. 4; Figs. 6 and 7 are Views in plan and elevation respectively of a supporting member made in accordance wlth my lnvention; Fig. 8 is a plan view of a sole plate in a modified form of the invention; and Figs. 9 and 10 are elevatlonal views showing the opposite ends of the modified form.

It is well known in connection with elastic fluid turbines, especially those of large size, that a certain freedom of movement must be permitted between the turbine casing and the foundation or sole plate on which it is supported in order that free expansion of the casing when heated may occur, otherwise distortion may arise which is liable to cause misalignment of the shaft and rubbing of the turbine rotor or blades against the interior of the casing or other difficulties. In order to allow for expansion, it has been customary to fix the casing at some point along a line perpendicular to its longitudinal axis, permitting expansion away from said fixed point by sliding along the foundation or sole plate, and to provide constralnts or guides to maintain the longitudinal axis of the turbine in the same vertical plane. In permitting expansion away from the fixed point of the casing the friction between the casing and the sole plate may be excessive. It has been found, in this connection, with very large casings, that the constraints or guides rovided are not sufficient to guide the casing so that movement of the longitudinal axis of the casing has occurred in a direction inclined to the vertical central plane of the turbine and consequent rubbing of the rotor on some part of the caslng has, at times, occurred.

In accordance with my invention I overcome the beforementioned difliculties by fixedly securing the turbine casing at one point in the vertical plane of the longitudinal axis of the turbine, and constraining the casing so as. to malntain the longitudinal axis of the turbine in the same vertical plane, as in pre vious installations. In addition thereto, I provide supporting members for the sides of the turbine casing provided with curved bearing surfaces so that the casing is free to expand laterally or longitudinally or both, with perfect freedom and practically without friction so that danger of moving the longitudinal axis of the turbine outside of its original vertical plane is eliminated.

Referring now to the drawings for a more detailed description of my invention I show in Fig. 1 at 10 a sole plate or foundation for a turbine. At each corner of the sole plate is disposed at supporting member 11, the surface of said supporting members being spherical, the circumference of said sphere being indicated by the dot and dash lines 1212 in Figs. 6 and 7. The supporting members 11-11 may be retained in position by suitably formed bosses 1313 if desired. At 14.- is shown a hole, centrally located with respect to the longitudinal axis of the turbine, for the reception of a dowel pin 22, Fig. 2, for bolding one end of the turbine casing in a fixed position and for maintaining the longitudinal axis centrally at that end of the turbine. In the drawing the dowel is indicated at the low pressure end of the turbine to be mounted thereon though it will be obvious that it by' reason of the bearing members 11 --11 at may well be at the opposite end of the turthe ends of the casing. It is constrained by bine. At the opposite end of the foundation the keys 2)29 so as to maintam the long!- or sole plate 10 is formed a key or guide 16 tudmal axis of the turbine 1n 1ts original veradapted to fit into a cooperating slot on a turtlcal plane. bine casing, permitting the casing to freely In Flgs. 2 and 3 1t W111 be noted that the slide longitudinally of the turbine but malnsupporting members 1111 are made comtaining its longitudinal axis central. paratively short and that the bosses 18-18 Referring now to Fig. 2 I show the low formed upon the ends of the turbine caspressure end of a turbine 17 mounted upon ing extend downwardly below the center line the sole plate 10. Formed upon the end of of the casing. In such an installation, if the the turbine casing is a suitab e boss 18, said bosses 18 become heated and expand it might boss having provided thereon bearing surcause at raising of the longitudinal axis of the faces 1919, one at each side thereof and coturbine above the horizontal plane it occupies operating with the supportin members when cool. In accordance with the modifica- 1111. The sole plate or foundation 10 is tion shown in Fig. 5, however, I provide likewise provided with bearing surfaces bosses 33-33 at the ends of the turbine cas- 2121 for cooperating with the supporting ing so arranged that the bearing surfaces for members 1111. .At 22 I show a dowel pin the supporting members 11 occur near the inserted in the hole 14 of the sole plate 10 and horizontal plane of the turbine axis. The

. also in a similar cooperating hole 23 formed supporting members 1111, being largely reend thereof as in the previous modifications, rod 47 asa radius.

in the boss 18 of the turbine casing. It may mote from the turbine casing, are not greatly thus be seen that the low pressure end of the influenced by the heat thereof and as the turturbine casing is fixedly held by the centrally bine casing expands the spherical surfaces of located pin 22 but is free to expand away from the supporting member maintain the casing said pin, being supported by the members at the same height. 1111. The members 1111 provide, in ef-. Referring now to Figs. 8, 9 and 10 I show fect, ball bearings as well as supports for the a modified form of my invention wherein a casing so that it has perfect freedom of exsole plate 40, Fig. 8, has mounted thereon a pansion away from the central point deterturbine 41, Figs. 9 and 10. Secured to the mined by the dowel pin 22. sole plate 40, at one end of the turbine 41, is Referring now to Fig. 3 I show the high a plate 42 which extends a" sufiicient distance pressure end of the turbine which is similar ,beyond the center line of the sole plate 40 to to the low pressure end in all respects save accommodate a pin 43 which coacts between that the key 16 formed upon the sole plate or the plate 42 and a boss 44 and serves to anchor foundation 10, fits into a suitable guide 26 one end of the turbine. The plate 42 is rigidformed in the lower part of the boss 18. The 1y secured to the sole plate 40 as by a plurality turbine casing may expand away from the of bolts 4646 so that longitudinal movedowel pin 22 in all directions due to the ment of the pin 43 is prevented. The opposite spherical bearing surfaces of the members end of the turbine may be held substantially 11-11 but its longitudinal axis is maintained central by means of a link 47 secured to the 1n the same vertical plane by means of the turbine, near its center line, by means of a dowel pin 22 and the key and slot connecpin 48 and to the sole plate 40 by means of a tion 16 26. pin 49. The turbine is supported at its four In Fig. 4 I show a sole plate or foundation corners by means of the bearing members 27 adapted to support a turbine of the double 1111 as shown in the previouslydescribed flow type exhausting at each end of the turbine casing. In accordance with this modimovement of the turbine casing upon expanf n the bearlngs members 1111 are P ion away from lines of constraint. With this Vld h the f cqrners 9 the 8016 Plate 'v lodification of my invention, when the turfoundatlon as previously illustrated, but in- 7) bine expands longitudinally the pin 48 moves stead of fixedly retaining the caslng at one in a small are of a circle described by the The movement away from I provide a hole 28 centrally of the sole plate the center line of the turbine is so small, how-- or foundation 27 for the reception of a dowel ev r, as to be inconsequential. pm. At each end of the sole plate or founda- From the foregoing it will be apparent that modifications, which permit freedom of tion 27 is provided a key or guide m m er 29 I have invented an improved support for an for permitting free expansion of the casing elastic fluid turbine effective to maintain the as may better be seen by reference to Fig.5. longitudinal axis of the turbine in a central In Flg. 5 I h a double fl l1 I1e 1 vertical plane and in the same horizontal supported upon the sole plate or foundation plane while permitting freedom of expansion 27 by the bearmg members 1111. The casupon heating of the casing.

ing of the turbine 31 is dowelled to the sole While I have shown my invention in sev-, plate 27 by means of a pin 32 in the hole 28 eral forms, it will be obvious to those skilled and is left free to expand away from said pin in the art that it is not so limited, but is-susen ible of various other changes and modilications, without departing from the spirit thereof, and I desire, therefore, that only such limitations shall be placed thereupon as are imposed by the prior art or as are specifically set forth in the appended claims.

What I claim'is 1. Means for supporting a turbine comprising spherically surfaced bearing members at each end of the turbine for supportin the weight thereof, a centrally located fixe retainer at one end of the turbine and a centrally located sliding connection between the turbine and the stationary member at the opposite end.

2. The combination of a turbine having a casing, a foundation, suitably formed bearing surfaces provided on the casing and on the foundation, and spherically surfaced supporting members between the bearing surfaces.

v3. The combination of a turbine having a casing, a foundation, suitably formed bearing surfaces provided on the casing and on the foundation, spherically surfaced supporting members between the bearing surfaces, means for fixedly retaining the turbine at one point, and means permitting longitudinal expansion away from said point'while maintaining the .longitudinal axis of the turbine in its original vertical plane.

4. The combination of a turbine having a casing, a foundation for the turbine, bearing surfaces provided on the foundation and on the casing at each end of the turbine, supporting members interposed between the bearing surfaces on the turbine casing and on the foundation respectively, and means for fixedly retaining the turbine to the foundation at one point.

5. The combination of a turbine having a casing, a foundation for the turbine, bearing surfaces provided on the foundation and on the casing at each end of the turbine, supporting members interposed between the caring surfaces on the turbine casing and on the foundation respectively, means for fixedly securing thecasin to the foundation at one point and means for centrally maintaining the longitudinal axis of the turbine at other points.

6. The combination of a turbine having a casing, a foundation, bosses provided on each end of the turbine and extending transversely thereof, said bosses having bearing surfaces provided thereon, cooperating bearing surfaces rovided on the foundation, supporting mem ers having curved surfaces interposed between the bearing surfaces of the bosses and the foundation, means for fixedly retaining the turbine casing at one point, and guide means for maintaining the longitudinal axis of the turbine in the same vertical plane at other points.

7. The combination of a turbine having a casing, bosses provided on the ends of the turbine casing and extending transversely thereof, said bosses having bearing surfaces provided thereon at each side of the turbine, members having cooperating bearing surfaces supported from the foundation, supporting members having curved surfaces interposed between the bearing surfaces of the bosses and the foundation, a centrally located dowel disposed between the turbine casing and the foundation at one end of the casing for fixedly locating said portion of the easing, and a centrally located sliding key connection between the opposite end of the casing and the foundation for maintaining the longitudinal axis of the turbine in its original vertical plane and permitting freedom of longitudinal expansion.

8. The combination of a turbine having a casing, a supporting means, a suitably formed bearing surface provided on the casing and on the supporting means, and a rocking supporting member between the bearing surfaces, said bearing surfaces and said rocking supporting member being formed to permit movement in any horizontal direction of said casing at the bearing surface provided thereon.

9. The combination of a turbine casing having a horizontal downwardly facing plane surface, a stationary supporting structure having a horizontal upwardly facing plane surface, a rocking supporting member disposed between said surfaces. said supporting member having curved surfaces formed about a common center and contacting with both of said plane surfaces.

10. The combination of a turbine casing having a horizontal downwardly facing plane surface, a stationary supporting structure having a horizontal upwardly facing plane surface, a rocking supporting member disposed between said surfaces, said supporting member having curved surfaces forming part of a common sphere and contacting with both of'said plane surfaces.

11. The combination of a turbine having a casing, a supporting means, a suitably formed bearing surface provided on the casing and on the supporting means, and a rocking supporting member between the bearing surfaces, said supporting member maintaining rolling contact with one of said bearing surfaces upon horizontal movement of said casing at its bearing surface.

12. The combination of a turbine having a casing, a stationary supporting structure, a suitably formed bearing surface provided on the casing and on the supporting structure, and a rocking supporting member disposed between the bearing surfaces, said rocking supporting member maintaining rolling contact with said bearing surfaces upon horizontal movement of said casing at its bearing surface.

'13. The combination of a turbine casing having a downwardly facing bearing surface, a stationary supporting structure having an upwardly facing bearlng surface, and

5 a rocking supporting member disposed b tween sald bearing surfaces and maintaining?' rolling contact therewith upon horizont movement of said casing at its bearing surface in any horizontal dlrection.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name this twenty-ninth day of October 1925.

ROBERT C. ALLEN. 

